Okinawa Attena Shop in Ginza

Experience some Okinawa while in Tokyo's Ginza

Justin Velgus Sep 25, 2014 - 2 min read

<p>Shisa are traditional beasts which you can see all around Okinawa. Here they are sold in statue form. The beasts are placed inside a building or on rooftops to protect a house, people, or village from calamities and negative energy. How about picking up a miniature set of shisa as a souvenir when you come visit Okinawa? </p>

<p>Two Korean international students interested in visiting Okinawa have been drawn to the exterior of this antenna shop and its products </p>

<p>This is an oh-ho-ho mask. It's a funny face, isn't it? It is said that more than 500 years ago, these masks were introduced on Iriomote Island through the Shichi Festival. </p>

<p>At the Ginza Washita Shop entrance, you are greeted by two shisa lions. In no time you'll feel the Okinawan spirit from within the store</p>

<p>Inside the store are Okinawan street signs. Also from the ceiling hang whale shark plush toys</p>

<p>There are also delicious looking pineapples. These pineapples are quite smaller in size than normal pineapples.</p>

<p>This is the representative product of Okinawa known as chiraga. It is the skin off the face of a pig.  </p>

<p>This cheerful and mischievous shisa come in many colors. I think it could be fun trying to find one that suits your tastes.</p>

<p>There is even a place to enjoy a meal or have something sweet, such as santa andagi. With so many choices you'll have difficulty choosing. </p>

Just a few minutes from the Ginza shopping district in Tokyo is the Washita Okinawa Antenna Shop (washita means 'we' or 'our'). Even the entrance is Okinawan-themed with its red tori gate flanked by shisa lion statues. With so much Okinawa packed into one place, you'll forget you are still in Ginza. Step inside to view shelves lined with specialty products and snacks. On the first floor are fresh fruits and specialty items. There are many kinds of Okinawan sweets such as chinsuko, as well an abundance of tea selections. If you get hungry, step up to the island-style parlor where you can feast on Okinawa soba or sata andagi, a deep fried bun similar to a doughnut.

On the basement floor are Okinawan artworks, musical instruments, and alcohol products. Of course you can find awamori, a famous and strong island liquor. Even events where you can paint shisa lions are held. The events are great fun with families.

If you want to experience some of Okinawa, outside the islands themselves, this is the spot for you.

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティンベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region. Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...